Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom caught the attention of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Twitter over the weekend after criticizing legislation recently signed into law in the Volunteer State.
Last Thursday, Lee signed legislation (SB3/HB9) which outlaws “adult cabaret performances” – including drag shows – in public spaces and restricts them to age-appropriate venues. The bill creates “an offense for a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.”
California’s Newsom shared an Associated Press article detailing Tennessee’s new law on Twitter, commenting, “Tennessee has the 8th highest murder rate in the nation. It ranks 44th among states for health outcomes. And this is what the Governor is focused on.”
Tennessee has the 8th highest murder rate in the nation.
It ranks 44th among states for health outcomes.
And this is what the Governor is focused on. https://t.co/RPQHFKcn7s
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 3, 2023
To this, Governor Lee fired back, “I’m often asked why so many families & companies move from California to Tennessee. People want to live in a low-tax state that supports families & believes freedom & opportunity belong to everybody—not just the elite. If you like rankings, we recommend the Uhaul Growth Index.”
I’m often asked why so many families & companies move from California to Tennessee.
People want to live in a low-tax state that supports families & believes freedom & opportunity belong to everybody—not just the elite.
If you like rankings, we recommend the Uhaul Growth Index. https://t.co/m0uWvthSN0 pic.twitter.com/k3PVZsJnDT
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) March 4, 2023
The most recent Uhaul Growth Index tracking migration trends data across the U.S. showed that Tennessee was one of the top states for growth in 2022 while California was the worst. Out of the entire nation, Tennessee was the sixth largest growth state while California was the 50th.
Former Tennessee Republican congressional candidate Robby Starbuck also replied to Newsom’s tweet criticizing Tennessee’s new law, commenting, “California does one thing MUCH better than Tennessee: Enrich @uhaul from all the people moving out of your failed state. Oh and you neglected to tell people that CALIFORNIA has the highest number of mass shootings in America despite all the gun control laws you signed into law.”
California does one thing MUCH better than Tennessee: Enrich @uhaul from all the people moving out of your failed state. Oh and you neglected to tell people that CALIFORNIA has the highest number of mass shootings in America despite all the gun control laws you signed into law.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 3, 2023
“You’re literally arguing for grown men to dress up as women and simulate sex in front of kids as entertainment. You’re sick, you’re unfit to lead and your state is a failure that people are fleeing in droves,” Starbuck added in response to Newsom’s tweet.
Tennessee’s Lee has received criticism from many prominent Democrat figures and the White House in recent days since signing SB3/HB9 and SB1/HB1, which prohibits minors from receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Bill Lee” by Gov. Bill Lee. Photo “Gavin Newsom” by California Governor. Background Photo “Tennessee State Capitol” by FaceMePLS. CC BY 2.0.
Gaven Newsom is a little Communist wind up toy…I left the CCC. (Communist Country of California) less than a year ago, Good riddance to the land of fruits, nuts, flakes and beans…
Good call Lee awesome ( CA resident, voted for Elder last recall cycle)
Good for Gov Lee … that’s why we elected him here in Tennessee.
We are a family driven state, focusing on education and protected of our children!
I wouldn’t even consider ever going to California. That state needs to get right with God. What they are doing, just like New York and Pa, is totally against God’s laws. And remember that God is always right and never looses.
Newsom: same same as complete fool. Look up fool in the dictionary and you will see his picture.
Yeah for Tennessee!
AGREE 100%
Good for Lee. Newscum is nothing but liberal trash.
Absolutely, California has been totally trashed since newscum became governor. So glad we left Cali behind, love Tennessee! Pretty bad when newscum’s in-laws left Cali for Florida! 😊
THAT IS FOR SUFE HE COMES UP WITH SOME OF THE STUPID IDEAS I9 HAVEE EVER HEARD OF